Had an epiphany

[Anonymous]

and remember, sometimes kids actually look back fondly on that stuff you "made" them do. My kids aren't very verbal about having a fun time and will participate in things they don't seem to enjoy and they later I hear about how wonderful it all was.

[Anonymous]

For amusement park trips, either stay local and do Hershey Hotel and the theme park. I love the hotel. Pretty grounds, nice pool, good spa and it’s close so it’s a weekend.

If the beach works, get an Airbnb in San Diego or SoCal beach area and take a day trip to Disney, Univeral or Legoland. The San Diego zoo is fantastic.

You could do a trip to Yosemite and stay in the lodge or Ahwanee or get a rental in Yosemite valley. Spend a few days there and then go to either Santa Cruz, Aptos, Capitola. Hang out at the beach, go to the boardwalk/amusement park, go to the Monterey Aquarium, there is a great ropes course near Mt Hermon, good hikes just north of Santa Cruz near Davenport.

If you go further north there is white water rafting north of Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:and remember, sometimes kids actually look back fondly on that stuff you "made" them do. My kids aren't very verbal about having a fun time and will participate in things they don't seem to enjoy and they later I hear about how wonderful it all was.

+1

[Anonymous]

OP, I have two please-everyone ideas. 1) An RV trip! Go out west and see all the natural wonders and take compact hikes and outings. Drive and experience togetherness and beautiful scenery while the kids can still have access to electronics and the comforts of “home” while literally on the road. 2) luxury but outdoorsy resorts like nemecolin or the bradmoor.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t do an RV trip. People have these images in their head about how great the trip will be and most find it’s not that enjoyable and hassle free.

1. It’s not that comfortable for sleeping. Yes it’s better than sleeping on the ground but the beds aren’t great.
2. You are all sharing a very tiny bathroom for 2 or more weeks.
3. It’s really tiring for the driver. Long day driving, and poor sleep takes away from enjoying hiking seeing natural wonders .
4. You will all get on each other’s nerves by the 3-4 th day. It’s a very small space. There is no escape.
5. The hook ups to deal with water and waste is a PITA.
6. Gas prices are really high now.
7. You have to really plan it out in advance and stick to the schedule. You can’t just park an RV anywhere and dump your sewage on the street.. Your RV sites and parks fill up fast and you need reservations. Some sites are very nice and others are sketchy.

[Anonymous]

RVing is only fun as a kid. It’s not fun as the adults who have to drive, park, hook up water and get rid of sewage.